NUM previously rejected the 6.2% proposal and insists on a 9% increase for workers.

The union’s Helen Diatile told POWER Breakfast that the basis of the negotiations is focused on workers’ wages, excluding other benefits tabled.

These include housing, which Eskom says they have no funds to meet workers’ demands.

“Members have sent us there with trust that we will bring them something reasonable. We are trying by all means to avoid that Eskom ends up negotiating with members, because members will negotiate with no rules,” Diatile says.

The union has slammed the power parastatal for creating a new position equivalent to that of the CEO’s financial package.

“They have created a Hlaudi Motsoeneng position at Eskom. In donkey years that the organisation has existed, there has never been a COO position.”